cross db ownership chaining Server Configuration Option

Use the cross db ownership chaining option to configure cross-database ownership chaining for an instance of Microsoft SQL Server.

This server option allows you to control cross-database ownership chaining at the database level or to allow cross-database ownership chaining for all databases:

When cross db ownership chaining is off (0) for the instance, cross-database ownership chaining is disabled for all databases.

When cross db ownership chaining is on (1) for the instance, cross-database ownership chaining is on for all databases.

You can set cross-database ownership chaining for individual databases using the SET clause of the ALTER DATABASE statement. If you are creating a new database, you can set the cross-database ownership chaining option for the new database using the CREATE DATABASE statement.

Setting cross db ownership chaining to 1 is not recommended unless all of the databases hosted by the instance of SQL Server must participate in cross-database ownership chaining and you are aware of the security implications of this setting.

Before turning cross-database ownership chaining on or off, consider the following:

You must be a member of the sysadmin fixed server role to turn cross-database ownership chaining on or off.

Before turning off cross-database ownership chaining on a production server, fully test all applications, including third-party applications, to ensure that the changes do not affect application functionality.

You can change the cross db ownership chaining option while the server is running if you specify RECONFIGURE with sp_configure.

If you have databases that require cross-database ownership chaining, the recommended practice is to turn off the cross db ownership chaining option for the instance using sp_configure; then turn on cross-database ownership chaining for individual databases that require it using the ALTER DATABASE statement.